Biopesticides: strategies for improving uptake

1. Biopesticides: strategies for improving uptake Wyn Grant

2. Before uptake, there have to be products • 260 biopesticides approved in the US • 77 approved in the EU • 16 approved in the UK • Very rigid ‘Green Book’ definition of grounds for intervention in UK compared with more fluid national interest approach in US

3. Four aspects of improving strategy • The broad political climate • The regulatory context • Organisation of the industry • Commercial strategies

4. What does political science say about the political agenda? • The political agenda can only deal with so many issues at one time • There are cyclical fluctuations in attention • How an issue is ‘framed’ is important – the language that is used to label topics – ‘hurrah’ and ‘boo’ words • Sustainability and biopesticides

5. The environmental agenda • Receives less attention during a recession • Dominated by climate change to the exclusion of other issues • Rise of food security issue – how that plays out is quite complex, resurgence of productionist approaches

6. The changing nature of the policy agenda • Emphasis placed on expertise and evidence – evidence-based policy-making • Yet rise of single issue interest groups has led to a more emotive form of politics • 24 hour media has a key role here • A good case is not enough

7. Biocontrol: some challenges • The language – differentiating biologicals from synthetics • Lack of public profile • Generally unsympathetic attitude of environmental groups • SMEs have limited resources to devote to representation

8. Biocontrol: some positives • Fact that they are largely produced by SMEs is helpful • Profile in policy-making circles is increasing • Academic research has focused on registration problems • Opportunities provided by restrictions of synthetics

9. New EU regulatory framework • Emphasis on Integrated Pest Management, mandatory from 2014 • ‘Non-chemical methods should be preferred wherever they provide satisfactory control’ • ‘IPM relies on complementary methods from a diverse array of approaches including biocontrol agents’ • Source: ‘Implementation of IPM principles: Guidance to Member States’

10. A cautionary note • Devil is in the detail – like much EU legislation really provides a framework for action • Industry has to work effectively to seize opportunities • Different regulatory capacity of member states – UK has taken biocontrol seriously

11. Main gains from EU framework • Creation of north, centre and south zones and a single zone for greenhouse, seed and post treatments etc. – uncertain at one stage • Generally considered by member state proposed by applicant • Other member states can refuse recognition

12. Other gains • Improved time lines for active substance inclusion but can still take 30 months plus another 15 months if all clock stops used • Priority to non-chemical and natural alternatives wherever possible • Provision for guidance documents on biologicals prepared by EFSA, industry needs to decide priorities and make proposals

13. ‘Grey area’ products • Products sold as strengtheners, enhancers etc. • Do not have to go through registration process • Danger of ‘snake oil’ products damaging image of industry • Unfinished business

14. Development of IBMA • Initial concerns about effectiveness • Considerable organisational development during period of our research – but not all firms members • Role of Lucerne meeting • Appointment of executive director in 2010

15. Why firms need to devote some time to representation • Very constrained in time available because of product development, registration, marketing etc. • But if you take part you have to chance to shape what happens rather than having something unpleasant imposed on you • We live in the ‘Regulatory State’

16. Implications of the Regulatory State • The pressure for greater regulation is not going to go away • There are many societal drivers of that including attitudes to risk • Tendency for process to displace goals in regulatory agencies • Need to foster innovation (Greaves)

17. Commercial stratgies • Largely matter for firms • But challenge of getting retailers to take biocontrol seriously • High levels of trust by consumers • But downside risks of them seeing it as a silver bullet

18. Conclusions • Have confidence in your message • Biorational products can contribute to the economic and environmental sustainability of food production • The European Union level is likely to become more important to their future • Niche actors need to build coalitions

19. Visit our website • Thanks for your attention • http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/biopesticides/